When I married Christina, I definitely felt like I was "marrying up." She is a woman of many talents and virtues. I'm happy for the chance to share a few of them with you.
Christina is very musical. In high school she was the drum major for the Pasco High marching band for her junior and senior years. She played the oboe, clarinet, flute and saxophone. She taught herself to play the piano and can play the hymns and primary songs. She has a beautiful voice and I love to hear her sing.
Christina is a teacher. She has a talent for explaining things to our children, whether it be a gospel doctrine, historical event, or an algebra problem. She home-schooled our children for several years before taking some time off to help me heal.
Christina is a nurse. She's helped our children to deal with everything from broken bones to late nights with the flu. She's performed surgery to remove splinters and comforted infants after getting their immunizations. When we found out we'd need to go to Seattle for several months while I underwent a stem cell transplant, she insisted on coming to be by my side. Her courage and constant care were a great blessing to me. There were many days when I felt discouraged and depressed but Christina was always there to cheer me up and refill my hope-o-meter.
Christina is an accounting wizard. She has managed to keep us afloat through many years of schooling, through several years of self-employment, through eight pregnancies and births, and through our latest medical adventure with a stem cell transplant.
Christina is a wonderful mother. When we were dating, she shared with me that this was her goal in life. Having eight children isn't easy, there are many times when we feel like perhaps we've bitten off more than we can chew. But we have a great family and really enjoy doing things together!
Christina is also an excellent cook, trip-planner, and home decorator. She is repulsed by seafood. She doesn't have a favorite color, but if pressed, she would probably say she likes white, off-white, cream, or yellow. After 19 years of marriage, she has developed a tolerance for black licorice and Led Zeppelin, though she would prefer anything vanilla and the soundtrack to a musical. She rarely has any free time, but when she does she enjoys sewing and reading.
I'm really glad to have Christina in my life!
